Role of disease assessment in systemic vasculitis
| Definition | Details | Aim | Available tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| BVAS, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score; BVAS/WG, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener’s granulomatosis; DEI, Disease Extent Index; SF-36, Short Form 36; VDI, Vasculitis Damage Index. | |||
| Disease activity | Clinical evaluation | Assist treatment decisions | BVAS BVAS/WG BVAS 2003 |
| Disease extent | Number of involved organ systems | Disease stage | DEI |
| Prognostic tool | Factors predicting outcome | Appropriate treatment based on prognosis | BVAS Five Factor Score |
| Outcome assessment | Longitudinal studies on patients with systemic vasculitis | Measure morbidity and mortality | BVAS VDI SF-36 |
| Quality of life | Patient self-assessment | To measure effect of disease and treatment on physical and psychological function | SF-36 |
| Damage | Irreversible damage due to disease activity, drug toxicity or other events | Outcome measure | VDI |
| Socioeconomic costs | High socioeconomic costs due to disability, hospitalisation and treatment | Evidence-based approach to funding decisions | None at present |